Studio 60 On The Sunset Strip

Christian Science MonitorGloria Goodale

Sorkin brings the same intensity and political sensibilities to the story.

Chicago TribuneMaureen Ryan

"Studio 60" is not just good, it has the potential to be a small-screen classic.

Detroit Free PressMike Duffy

"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" is another Sorkin mother lode of stylish wit, uncompromising quality and timely, topical substance. It's TV with a brain for viewers in search of something other than the same old, same old.

USA TodayRobert Bianco

Teeming with rich characters and terrific actors, brimming with wit, drama and unexpected urgency, Studio 60 brings its workplace to full, immensely entertaining life.

San Francisco ChronicleTim Goodman

"Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" lives up to the advance hype, easily qualifying as one of the best new broadcast series of the fall.

Hollywood ReporterBarry Garron

There are more than a few well-made dramas this season, but "Studio 60" -- with its intelligent dialogue, ironic humor, brilliant acting and Schlamme's inspired direction -- lays claim to being the most exciting new show of the season.

Miami HeraldGlenn Garvin

Fearlessly funny and scathingly introspective.

Seattle Post-IntelligencerMelanie McFarland

The agile humor and light, sharp intelligence permeating the script make "Studio 60" far and away one of the season's best new dramas, if not the top entry.

San Jose Mercury NewsCharlie McCollum

The characters are intelligent, complex people you quickly care about, even if -- this being a show about television -- they can be egotistical and self-centered.

Chicago Sun-TimesDoug Elfman

Fans of Sorkin's years on "The West Wing" will likely enjoy "Studio 60." And there should be enough mature viewers who crave bright writing to make the show a sudden mainstay.

Entertainment WeeklyGillian Flynn

Every so often, when the tension feels DefCon 1 high, there's a temptation to remind Sorkin that the fate of the free world isn't at stake. Then again, with such mesmerizing speed-bag dialogue, Studio 60 is a great case for taking TV seriously.

Arizona RepublicBill Goodykoontz

It's easily one of the best new shows of the season.

Boston GlobeMatthew Gilbert

"Studio 60" is one of the best new dramas of the season, assuming you aren't Sorkin-phobic, and with some tweaking it could be the very best.

The New York TimesAlessandra Stanley

There is nothing else quite like it on television, and that is actually saying a lot.

Philadelphia InquirerJonathan Storm

[It] is sure to occupy a special place in Emmy voters' hearts.

VarietyBrian Lowry

His exploration of an aging latenight franchise is so bracingly smart it's sure to hook discriminating viewers.

New York PostLinda Stasi

Don't believe the hype. "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" is not the best new show of the fall season. It's a pretty darned good one, but not the best one.

New York Daily NewsDavid Hinckley

As good a cast as you'll find anywhere on TV.... But in the end, the decisive question may be whether inner TV provides as much material as the inner White House.

Slant MagazineLen Sousa

While the actual comedy being prepared for the variety show isn't often a success... the drama behind the scenes is clearly what's worth watching.

SalonHeather Havrilesky

Sorkin may be self-important, but he's certainly not mediocre.

Philadelphia Daily NewsEllen Gray

As long as "Studio 60" stays backstage, though - while finding something a little more interesting for the genuinely funny D.L. Hughley to do - I'm likely to keep tuning in.

Baltimore SunDavid Zurawik

The banter between Perry and Whitfield... is dazzling enough to make one forget the pilot's storytelling sins.

The New YorkerTad Friend

Unfailingly enjoyable.

Pittsburgh Post-GazetteRob Owen

Like his previous series, "Studio 60" features intelligent, quickly spoken dialogue, smart arguments and terrific performances (Perry and Whitford have instant chemistry as longtime co-workers), and it's not a bad show by any means, but it doesn't soar to the heights "West Wing" did, even in its earliest episodes.

Newark Star-LedgerAlan Sepinwall

Last fall, "Studio 60" would have easily been the best new drama; this fall, it's lucky to squeeze into the top five, and a lot of that is based on potential more than what's on screen.

Kansas City StarAaron Barnhart

If [Sorkin] intends to preach off-key sermons every week, “Studio 60” is going to get old fast.

Wall Street JournalNancy DeWolf Smith

Here's hoping that the strong whiff of sanctimony in the pilot of "Studio 60" is blown away by fresh air in future episodes.

Washington PostTom Shales

Sorkin aspires to "importance," which can sometimes curdle into pretentiousness.

NewsdayVerne Gay

There's a wonderful cast here... There's even an intriguing core idea... But the show also feels phony from beginning to end.

TimeJames Poniewozik

From the mood lighting and stirring music to the hot-button story lines to the characters' arias on the august legacy of their show, Sorkin makes running a comedy program seem like negotiating an arms treaty.

People WeeklyTom Gliatto

The show feels weighed down by its own clout. [25 Sep 2006, p.43]

Los Angeles TimesPaul Brownfield

Here it feels as if Sorkin has chosen an outdated media milieu for his secular humanist dramaturgy. His first TV series, "Sports Night," was ahead of the times, but "Studio 60" is behind them.

LA WeeklyRobert Abele

Really, I just wish it were funny. Not walking-banter funny, or look-what-I-know funny, but funny funny. Even a little bit.